Ideas for what food to bring on a long flight? I don’t love the in-flight meals, but there must be something better to bring from home than pretzels!

Question

JaperMoon · Answer

In-flight Instant Oatmeal: Bring a pack or two of instant oatmeal, a little pouch of nut butter, a baggy of seeds and nuts, and maybe pick up a starbucks banana. When the flight attendant comes around with tea and coffee ask for hot water and an extra empty cup.

Bring a spoon or find a single-use one at the airport.

Ive also done this during a layover, getting the hot water and cup from starbucks (free with purchase of banana).

You could also buy an oatmeal at starbucks without the water and go the flight attendant hot water option.

Useful for arriving at odd hours for a hotel room meal.

Many ways to make this work!

Amy · Answer

Peanut Butter Date Balls: I finally caved and made a batch after reading about “energy balls” for like a decade. Turns out, they’re pretty tasty! I like them with almond butter.

Vickie · Answer

Turkey wrap + fruit + fun snacks: I make a wrap the night before with a big tortilla, deli turkey, some type of cheese, crunchy greens, and whatever spreadable thing I’m trying to get rid of (hummus, pesto, ssamjang, avocado, etc) and bring it on the plane. Easy to eat with one hand! I also bring some type of easily packable fruit (apple, kiwi, plum), string cheese and a protein bar. I like Promix and Prima for higher protein/clean ingredients, but also the Big Spoon Roasters nut butter bars! Then usually either a box of Simple Mills crackers, or a bag of DIY trail mix with raw mixed nuts and dried fruit + a cookie or pastry from a bakery I like to nibble on throughout the flight (or consume entirely while taxiing lol)

However, if it’s a day where I don’t have my shit together I just eat a larger meal at the lounge before boarding and buy a bag of pistachios + whatever fruit looks more edible at Hudson News to carry me through the rest of the flight

(For some reason I have to include a photo to respond so here’s me holding a bunch of apples)

Clara · Answer

Fresh fruit for flights!: Here is a picture of passionfruit (well, technically more like 8-10 passionfruits emptied out into a jar) I gleefully ate on an 11-hour flight a few years ago. I’ve also brought mangos and chopped them in half with a flight attendant-provided disposable knife, then spooned out the halves like jello. You could definitely do similar with any fruit you love. Fresh fruit is nice because it does last long enough out of the fridge to get through security and on the plan, but equally you’ll eat it before you arrive to your destination so you don’t have to worry about any special customs rules for fresh produce. Plus it’s so helpful to have a change-up from stodgy starches and heavier fare that’s usually offered inflight (if anything is).

dhblikes · Answer

PB & J = comfy airplane snack to bring from home: Because it’s not smelly, won’t piss off your seat mates,  it’s easy  & will feed your inner child.  Check my cute pbj picture ©️darrabaker I did for The Ivy LA) Bon voyage 🛫

Unicorns · Answer

Heidi’s 101 cookbooks tips: Shes got great travel food recs.